The Replace Window Pane Mistake That Every Beginner Makes

How to Replace Window Panes

A damaged or cracked window can be a source of frustration. It could be a chance to upgrade to energy-efficient windows or insulated ones to enjoy advantages like improved comfort, higher resale value and reduced utility costs.

You can do it yourself at a fraction of what it would cost to hire an expert. You'll only require the right tools and a few hours of your time.

Glass

Replace your single-paned windows with tempered insulated glass to increase energy efficiency, cut down on noise, and maintain the historical integrity of your older home. Most homeowners with basic hand tools can repair a window pane. You will also need an additional window pane, glazier's tips pliers, and latex glaze putty. If necessary you can make use of a heat gun to warm the old putty. Before starting, put on gloves and repairer safety glasses as working with broken glass can cause injuries.

Take away any broken glass pieces remaining. It is best to use pliers for this however, a flathead may work as well. Use a wood chisel, or putty knives to remove any old putty that remains around the frame and the window sash. Work slowly and carefully making sure not to break the existing window replacement panes sash. It is a good idea to do this using a sturdy ladder rather than the ground, and to have someone stand below the sash to help keep it in place.

Make sure the window frame is ready to accept the new pane after you have removed the old glue. Measure the width and height of the opening in the sash, subtracting 1/8 inch from each measurement (to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction). Take these measurements to a hardware store or home center, and find a piece glass cut to size. You can cut the glass yourself if you possess the right tools.

After putting the new pane in place, run a small bead of caulking around the edges to seal it against weather. Then, you can install a glazier's pointing on the frame's opposite side to secure the pane in place. The points should not be so tight that they create friction between the frame and sash however they should not be loose.

Before applying the putty on the surface, gently knead it until it becomes soft and free from lumps. Cut it into pencil-sized pieces. Place the first strip in the corner of the frame, moving from one corner to the other so that it is even and smooth.

Glazier's Points

The glazier's points are small triangular pieces of metal that allow glass to be secured to the frame without causing any damage to the fragile surface. Learning how to use these tiny helpers is simple and can save you money on professional installation or the cost of purchasing new glass.

After getting rid of the old putty glazier points, and any other leftovers clean the frame thoroughly using a utility knife. Lightly sand the wood into the rabbet grooves if needed to smooth out rough areas. If you do sand your wood, ensure you protect it by using painter's tape to prevent accidental damage.

Write down the dimensions of the frame. These measurements can be taken to a home center or hardware store, and the new frame will be cut a bit smaller. This will ensure a secure fit and leave room for expansion and contraction.

Place the new pane in the frame and press it down using your hands. Use the chisel's point, or repairer the edge of the putty blade to tap the glazier's points, as illustrated in Figure 11. The glazier's points should be flush against the top edge of your pane and the shoulders raised should be just beneath that lip.

Apply a thin bead of glazing compound on the edges of the glass that has been made and into the rabbet grooves to seal and protect them. Allow it to dry and cure completely.

After the glazing compound dries and the glazing compound is dry, you can install the new window sash. First, saturate the wood with a heavy coat of linseed oil. This will keep the new putty from taking in the moisture and deteriorating and cracking with time. Apply this coat with a brush or the edge of your putty knife, then use the chisel, or the back end of the putty knife to gently hammer the new sash and glazier's points into the grooves of the rabbet. Repeat this procedure every 10 inches around the frame's perimeter.

Putty

A baseball thrown or a rock thrown by error or a branch falling can result in a cracked or cracked window. Most windows can be replaced easily by simply putting in a fresh piece. The glass is held into the position with a tiny metal clip, referred to as a glazier’s point and putty. This compound is also known as glazing compound. Before you install a new pane, first get rid of the old one and clean the area using an abrasive and a pull-type paint scraper or a wood chisel. Wear gloves and safety glasses while working. You'll need a heat gun when the window is fixed to the frame.

If you're planning to install the original sash, remove the molding pieces that secure the old pane. Sand the sash until it is flat and ready for new caulk. Once the sash is re-installed, apply a new silicone caulk around the glass to ensure that it won't leak or discolor as time passes.

Take the glazing points out of the rabbets, or the grooves in the sash, where the glass sits. If they're difficult to work out, you can try holding a hand tool like a heat gun to soften them up first. If you're using a heat gun, be careful not to scratch the sash or its railings by using the tool too close.

After the old glaze points and putty are removed, make a bed for the new pane. Roll a rope of glazing compound between your hands, forming it into a 1/2-inch thick. Press it into the rabbets where the glass will be placed. The glass should rest against the putty on both sides. If needed gently tap your glass into the rabbet using your thumb.

If the new pane has a crack then you can seal it with a solvent-based glue or silicone caulk prior to pressing it into the sash. If the crack is not sealed, you'll need to apply putty to keep water from getting in. After the putty is dry then clean the oily film off the glass using the help of a rag. Allow it to dry completely before painting. Paint before the putty has completely dried. It will not create a solid seal and may be leaking or discoloring over time.

Paint

If you've had a broken window pane, you might be worried about the expense of a new one. But the truth is that replacing a single glass pane doesn't need to cost a fortune if you do it yourself. In fact windows with double panes can be replaced for less than the cost of an expert.

If you are working with a large glass window, first make sure it is securely attached to the frame. With the right tools and techniques to accomplish this task fairly easily and fast.

Once you're ready to begin, begin by removing the old window pane by prying out the metal glazing points that are attached to it. These are tiny triangles of metal that function as "nails" to hold the window in place. They are submerged beneath a glaze putty or bead that sets to form a solid wedge that holds the wood frame in place and conceals the edges.

After you have removed the old pane taken away clean the surrounding frame and wood. Scrape off any paint and sand down the rabbet grooves where the glazing points used to be. They should be sanded to the point of being bare, so that you can paint them the same shade as the rest of the frame. After sanding, apply a layer of flax oil to the wood's surface to help extend its lifespan.

Next, measure the width of the window's opening. It is necessary to take horizontal and vertical measurements of the entire opening, and also the thickness of the old pane. To determine the exact dimensions of the new pane, subtract 1/8 inch from both measurements. This will also allow for expansion and contraction of the glass in times of seasonal changes. Bring these measurements to the hardware or home improvement store and ask them to cut you cut the glass for you.

Now, it's time to bed the new window pane. To do this, Repairer place the pane inside the frame and move it around until a 1/16 inch of putty remains between the edge of the glass and the sash on all four sides. Use a putty knife to smear the putty evenly, making sure that there isn't an excessive amount of excess putty in the corners and along the edges. When the putty dries, it can be painted with the same color as the frame to prevent water and air from leaking into the frame and causing fogging.